The term digital media refers to any type of media that is in an electronic or digital format for the convenience and entertainment of consumers. It includes anything that is presented in an audio (sound) or video (visual) form that can be seen and heard by others. Examples include music files, such as MP3, Midi, or WMA files; video feeds found on the Internet at popular video websites; and animated Flash® or graphic design files and images used to create interactive websites and games.
Digital media files are generally accessed by using complex electronics devices that contain digital receivers or processors. These devices can include computers, mobile devices, video game consoles, projectors, television and radio. Consumers access these files mostly for entertainment and educational value; however, others are used for manipulation into other forms of media, such as movies, albums, or websites.
Audio and music files are usually accessed with digital media players, such as MP3 players or radio devices; they can also be downloaded from the Internet on music file sharing websites. Since digital music files are easy to locate, download, and store, this format is very popular among music lovers. These files are also easy to share among consumers. This is a lower cost alternative to purchasing large albums or collections of music permanently stored on tapes, CDs and records.
Digital visual and video media is becoming a more popular form of sharing images and information for its quick entertainment value. Video and graphic image media is not only used by regular consumers who have access to affordable digital image and video creation and editing equipment and software, it’s also a format that many businesses are beginning to use. These files provide interesting and stimulating formats that have many ways of being used for the benefit of promoting ideas, information, and entertainment with the public.
Gaming digital media has been available since the first video games were introduced in the 1980s. While this has been traditionally a youthful pursuit, with the introduction of mobile gaming systems and family-friendly video games, this hobby is becoming a staple of many households and is enjoyed by consumers of all ages and abilities. The gaming media is most often found is either in a physical format, which must be purchased at video game retailers, or the more convenient downloadable forms that are found on the Internet.
